Report: 2024 County-Level Election Data Shows Record Turnout

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 07/07/2025) A new report shows a record county-level voter turnout in the state’s first presidential election following new accessible voting options put in place under a 2022 ballot initiative.

In 2024, the Secretary of State’s office said Michigan broke its 2020 turnout record with more than 5.7 million votes cast and was ranked third in the nation with 74.6 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot – one of only five states with higher voter turnout than in 2020.

Voters cash more than 60 percent of ballots early or by mail – trends that were evident statewide and not correlated to previous turnout rates or partisan support, the SOS office said.

“As American citizens, our vote is our voice. Now, more than ever, Michiganders are making their voices heard,” said Secretary of State @Jocelyn BENSON. “As one of the nation’s leading states in voter turnout, Michigan is proof that making voting more accessible strengthens our democracy and puts power where it belongs – in the hands of the voters. 

“This Independence Day, we can all celebrate the power of the people and our secure, accessible elections that ensure each citizen has a voice,” she added.

The report, Access Matters: Michigan #3 In Voter Turnout, shows more than 5.7 million voted in 2024, breaking the previous turnout of nearly 5.6 million.

More than 1.2 million Michigan voters in the 2024 General Election cast a ballot at their in-person early voting site and over 2.2 million voted by mail. 

As of Dec. 5, more than 25 percent of active registered Michigan voters had joined the permanent vote by mail list.

The November 2024 Presidential Election was the first statewide general election since 2022, when nearly 60 percent of Michigan voters approved Proposal 2022-2, which amended the state constitution to require at least nine days of early in-person voting, give every voter the option to join a permanent mail-in ballot list, and require ballot drop boxes for every jurisdiction, along with other voting reforms (See “Millions Spent On Prop 2 Paid Off,” 11/8/22).

In 2018, more than 66 percent of voters approved a constitutional amendment that allows every registered voter to cast a ballot by mail in every statewide election.  

The state’s more convenient options to vote encouraged Michiganders who did not vote in 2020 to cast a ballot in 2024. 

Over 820,000 voters were first-time voters in Michigan, making up 14.5 percent of total turnout and more than 71,000 voters who were eligible and registered to vote, but inactive, also cast a ballot – 35.4 percent of these voters had not cast a ballot since before 2020.

According to the report, counties with the highest turnout of active registered voters were Leelanau with 89 percent and Livingston County with 86.4 percent, followed by Keweenaw, Clinton and Grand Traverse counties at 85.2 percent, 84.7 percent and 83.6 percent, respectively.